Transcript for Three-Year-Old Mauled After Fall into Wild Animal Pit in Pittsburgh

to a tragic incident at a zoo in pittsburgh. A small child falling into a pit with wild animals. The description of the attack is difficult. Here's abc's mark greenblatt. Reporter: African painted dogs like these are similar to wolves, naturally hunting in packs, which is how they attacked a 3-year-old boy today who fell into their exhibit at the pittsburgh zoo. The zoo says the boy was with his mother when he fell 14 feet over a railing and off a mesh barrier where the painted dogs were. A zookeeper snapped into action, immediately getting seven of the 11 dogs out of the exhibit and into a building, while another employee shot darts at the other four, trying to scare them away. But it all wasn't enough. It is with great sadness and very, very heavy hearts that we report today that a small child was killed by our african painted dog pack. Reporter: The pittsburgh zoo will remain closed until further notice, while the death is investigated investigated. Mark greenblatt, abc news, new york.

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